Just Nebulizers Blog

Asthma and Air Purifiers

Apr 23, 2012 9:33:04 AM

If you have asthma or allergies, you know that clean air is important to prevent any breathing distress. Many times the air we breathe contains small particles such as dust, pollen, smoke, mold or other pollutants that can cause a harmful asthma attack or an allergic reaction. Air purifiers work to remove these unwanted particles from our indoor air to reduce the occurrence of allergy and asthma related symptoms.

How Air Purifiers Work:

  • A Fan draws air into the air cleaner
  • Air passes through air filter, capturing asthma/allergy irritating particles
  • A top air purifier will often feature a carbon filter that removes odors at this stage of air filtration
  • Once passing through the filter, air recirculates into the room

This process continues, drawing in all of a room's air, making the air cleaner each time it passes through the filter. There are different types of air filters and air purifiers that

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Tips for Living with Asthma

Apr 13, 2012 3:49:52 PM

Living with asthma carries with it many difficulties.  Fortunately, these challenges can be managed to help you and/or your child live an active, healthy lifestyle. The most basic step to better managing asthma begins with the development of an asthma action plan you should keep with you at all times. An asthma action plan keeps all your asthma related information in one place for easy reference to inform you when your asthma control begins to worsen.

Things to Include in an Asthma Action Plan:

  • A list of all your known asthma triggers – things to avoid such as pollen, dust, dander, etc.
  • Potential changes you can make to avoid your asthma triggers
  • List your asthma medications that help you prevent/control your symptoms
  • Record your optimum peak flow meter reading to compare that number to different days'; readings – informs you of how well your lungs are working
  • Course of action in case
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According to a Melbourne University study, toddlers with a family history of allergy and current sensitivity to dust mites have increased chances of developing asthma by age 12. The study concluded that 75% of toddlers who tested positive for a dust mite allergy also tested positive for asthma at age 12. Toddlers who tested negative for a dust mite allergy were far less likely to develop asthma – only 36% were diagnosed with asthma at 12.

This study's findings are significant because they show a correlation between an allergy determined at an early age and the development of asthma later in life. This gives scientists the opportunity to investigate methods of preventing asthma later in a child’s life because they have identified a targeted group to work with. Dust mites were not found to cause asthma, but instead an allergic reaction to them has shown that an asthma diagnosis later in life is more likely.

Thunderstorms and Asthma Attacks

Mar 30, 2012 9:31:07 AM

In the Atlanta metropolitan area, a study was conducted to determine an association between asthma and thunderstorms.  The conductors of the study used information gathered from 41 hospitals in a 20 county area for the length of 10 years to concluded that asthma attacks increased by 3% on days following thunderstorms.  This completely contradicts the idea that rain, especially thunderstorms, clear the air of asthma inducing pollen.

But What's Causing The Increase?

  • The falling rain ruptures pollen grains, releasing allergens that can be inhaled
  • While the size of the pollen particles decreases after being struck by falling rain, the area they take up increases
  • This widens the area people can be affected in
  • The heavy winds from the storm continue to spread the pollen particles, leaving them to eventually fall to the ground after a few days

Fungal spores, another common

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What is Vibrating Mesh Technology?

Mar 19, 2012 4:38:52 PM

Vibrating mesh technology (V.M.T.) is a new technology for better, more portable nebulization. The only nebulizer machine to use V.M.T. is the Omron Microair NE-U22V. There are many benefits to using the Omron NE-U22V and its Vibrating Mesh Technology:

Benefits of NE-U22V and its Vibrating Mesh Technology:

  • Completely silent operation lets you take a treatment anywhere
  • Very consistent particle size makes for one of the best treatments possible
  • Ultra-fast treatments let you get back to your activities
  • A travel nebulizer – battery operation lets you use it anywhere

These benefits make it hard to argue against the Omron NE-U22V being the best portable nebulizer available. The technology itself is where the magic happens, so

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Nebulizer System Maintenance

Mar 14, 2012 2:17:18 PM

Maintaining the compressor and nebulizer kits you use to receive your nebulizer treatments is vital to keep receiving the most effective treatments possible. These compressors are not difficult to maintain, and the benefits far outweigh the time/effort spent to keep your nebulizer machine running in top condition.

How to Maintain Your Nebulizer Machine:

  • Never remove compressor's outer casing due to risk of electric shock
  • Read the compressor's instructions – a cleaning procedure is always given and must be followed
  • Change the air filter! – old, dirty filters hinder your compressor, eventually causing it to breakdown
  • Wipe down compressor's casing with a damp cloth to keep it free of dust and other asthma triggers
  • Never spray fluids onto the compressor, as this may damage the internal components
  • Cover the compressor to
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According to a new study published in the journal, Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, chili peppers have a positive effect in alleviating symptoms such as nasal congestion, sinus pain, and sinus pressure. Scientists studied capsicum annum, the part of the chili pepper that produces the spicy sensation. When concentrated and used in spray form, capsicum annum was better than a placebo spray at alleviating non-allergic sinus congestion (congestion brought on by environmental elements such as weather and household chemicals).

This is a significant finding because currently doctors do not have good methods of treating non-allergic sinus congestion. Previously, scientists were unable to administer capsicum annum without the help of an anesthetic due to the intense heat, but now a form has been developed where it can be used continuously. While this is a significant advancement, don’t expect to see a capsicum annum based congestion

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Dos and Don'ts to Keep Indoor Air Fresh

Jan 30, 2012 4:37:30 PM

Unclean indoor air carries with it all sorts of asthma/allergy triggers such as dust mites (and their droppings), dead skin cells, fumes, mold, etc. that can be harmful to breathe in. Indoor air is important to keep fresh as most Americans spend around 90% of their time inside, especially during the winter months. By following these simple dos and don'ts, you'll be well on your way to healthier indoor breathing.

Do

  • Perform weekly cleaning – this removes dust and mold which can linger in your home
  • Ventilate – outdoor air is typically cleaner, so open a window to circulate stagnant air
  • Change your HVAC filters – your heating and air conditioning ducts act as a great way to clean the air, so regularly replace your home’s duct
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8 Helpful Asthma Control Products

Jan 23, 2012 9:53:13 AM

Controlling asthma in your home can be difficult, but it doesn't have to be with these helpful products! Asthma control products are designed to make living with your condition easier by controlling asthma triggers in the home.

Asthma Control Bedding:

  • Breathable Mattress Encasement – Because you spend around 8 hours sleeping every night, it's important to protect that area from asthma triggers like dust mites. These covers encase your bed preventing dust mites from making a home in your mattress.
  • Box Spring Covers – Dust mites will also find a home within your box spring, cover it up to prevent them from living too close for comfort.
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Endotoxins and Asthma

Jan 16, 2012 2:57:40 PM

A nationwide study conducted in the U.S. found that a strong association exists between the levels of endotoxins in the home and the prevalence of bothersome respiratory symptoms such as asthma.

What Are Endotoxins?

  • Endotoxins are a lesser known asthma trigger that can inflame and irritate airways
  • They come from bacteria living in dust
  • Endotoxins are released into the air when the bacterium’s cell wall is ruptured
  • Since they exist in dust, endotoxins tend to be in more dirty areas, but they can spread to any part of the home
  • Highest concentrations of endotoxins typically found in kitchen and living room floor dust

You only have to worry about endotoxins inside your home, since the bacteria living in the dust are unable to build up enough outside to inflame your airways. Inside the home, simple steps can be taken to reduce the amount of endotoxins in the air. And remember, reducing

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